Polynesian Cultural Center

 I've heard a lot of great things about the Polynesian Cultural Center and really wanted to check it out. You can also be a part of a luau dinner (which is always a good idea in my opinion), and we were going far enough in advance that we had time to get tickets. 

This center sells out about 3 months in advance. So if you are interesting in going to see it, the sooner you can reserve your tickets the better. They also offer a 100% refund up until the day before, so if you end up needing to cancel you don't lose your money. It is a bit pricey.

The Cultural Center is kind of like a big outdoor amusement park, except there are no rides or concession stands. For all the different Polynesian Islands, they've set up different areas of this park to show a representation of what that culture would look like. 

They have Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, etc. Each Nation has a hut built in their cultural style. As well they have performers who will come out in their traditional garb and talk about the culture, what life would have been like, and some history of what happened to the Nation. 

It's rather fascinating to hear about the culture and history. Some spots show traditional music and traditional style drums. Other areas showed how they would start fire without matches, and climb coconut trees. It's a fun and interactive way to learn about this different nations and what influences they brought to the world. It's certainly worth seeing.

Did I mention it's beautiful? There is a river that runs through this whole park area and surrounding it on all sides are they different layouts for the different nations represented. 

It was a rainy morning when we got there, but it eventually it cleared and we didn't have to use our umbrellas. 

They layout is beautiful. When you walk in there is a section that's all tourist shops, souvenirs, snacks, tickets, etc. Once you get through that on the far side you can enter into the actual area after showing your tickets.

Each nation has what they call a "show" or "presentation" that lasts about 30 minutes. It is timed so that when one ends, another show at another location will begin in 15 minutes. They give you a map at the entrance that tells you where things are at and what time all the performances start so you can plan accordingly. It was lovely to see.

This area finishes up around 6pm, and for those who've paid for the luau seating opens in a separate designated dining area about 6:30, with dinner starting at 7. It is a buffet style dinner, but you do watch them pull the roasted pig out of the ground to begin the buffet. While you are waiting and all through dinner they had music and dancers performing on the stage. It was fun.

After dinner they finish up with an hour long theater show, complete with fire dancers. They do not allow pictures during the performance, but the story was a beautiful one about the birth of a child, his life growing up, getting married, fighting in war, having children, and losing a parent. Very beautifully told and full of both tears and laughter. 

I'm really glad we went and would certainly go again. 

Tidepools

 I'd read about a good place to find some tidepools, though the area was treacherous and off limits for swimming in the fall and winter season. The waves were certainly treacherous, and I would not want to fall on all the volcanic rock. It was a great place to see some tide pools. They were not as full of life as I was hoping though. I wanted to see some sea anemones, and starfish, things like that. But there was none of that. Lots of little Mino type fish and a few bigger ones. But we did happen to find an octopus. That was really fun, and a challenge to see him as he kept blending in with the rock. The head was probably the size of a large fish, so we had fun trying to spot him. 

Sunrise on Oahu

One morning being up and alert long before a person should be on vacation, we took a drive around the island stopping along the beach as the sun came up. This was all the east side the island of Oahu driving north up to Waikiki. I can't imagine ever getting sick of seeing this on a daily basis.